Chapter 1A Panoramic View of theBritish Land Contemporary British Culture and Society 英国社会与文化 教学课件

Contemporary British Culture and SocietyChapter 1 A Panoramic View of the British Land Chapter 1 A Panoramic View of the British Land Autumn Semester,Sept.2009Autumn Semester,Sept.2009Li Li XueXueObjectivesIn this chapter we will look at some general features of Britain and set the scene for the more detailed examination of particular aspects of life there which are dealt with in later chapters Focal Questions What is the full name of the British state?What What is the full name of the British state?What countries does it consist of?countries does it consist of?What is the difference between the Unit What is the difference between the Unit Kingdom,Great Britain,and England?Kingdom,Great Britain,and England?What is the total population of the United What is the total population of the United Kingdom?Where do most people live?Kingdom?Where do most people live?ProceduresPresentation by Students Focal questions Lectures by the teacherClass discussion Assignment for the next chapterPhysical Features Full name:the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandShort names:UK,or BritainBritain consists of England,Wales,Scotland and Northern Ireland.The British Isles is a traditional term used to identify the group of islands off the northwest coast of Europe consisting of Great Britain,Ireland and the many smaller adjacent islands.Area:242,514 sq kmLength:1000 km Width:500 kmPhysical relief:high in the north and west,low in the south and eastPopulation:59,834,900England is the largest country and has the largest population.National Flag The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandThe Union Flag,popularly known as the*The Union Flag,popularly known as the*Union Union JackJack,symbolisessymbolises the administrative union of the the administrative union of the countries of the United Kingdom.It is made up countries of the United Kingdom.It is made up upup of the individual Flags of three of the of the individual Flags of three of the Kingdoms countries all united under one Kingdoms countries all united under one Sovereign-the countries of Sovereign-the countries of EnglandEngland,of,of ScotlandScotland and of and of Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland(since (since 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the 1921 only Northern Ireland has been part of the United Kingdom).As Wales was not a Kingdom United Kingdom).As Wales was not a Kingdom but a Principality it could not be included on the but a Principality it could not be included on the flag.flag.The flag of the United Kingdom-known as the Union Flag or Union Jack-is made up from the flags of Scotland,England(the Cross of Saint George)and Ireland(the Cross of Saint Patrick).ENGLANDPopulation:51 Million Population:51 Million People:Anglo-Saxons,Scots,Welsh,IrishPeople:Anglo-Saxons,Scots,Welsh,IrishEarly settlers:CeltsEarly settlers:Celts (1500 BC 43 AD Celts (1500 BC 43 AD Celts 43 AD 410 AD Roman Empire 43 AD 410 AD Roman Empire 410-1066 Anglo-410-1066 Anglo-saxonssaxons)Capital City:LondonCapital City:LondonMajor cities:Manchester,Birmingham,Liverpool,Major cities:Manchester,Birmingham,Liverpool,Newcastle,Sunderland.Newcastle,Sunderland.ENGLAND cont.The The Flag of Flag of EnglandEngland is the is the St Georges CrossSt Georges Cross.Saint George became the patron saint of Saint George became the patron saint of EnglandEngland in the thirteenth century,and the in the thirteenth century,and the legend of legend of Saint GeorgeSaint George slaying a slaying a dragondragon dates dates from the twelfth century.from the twelfth century.CultureCulture:They have artistic contributions in theatre,They have artistic contributions in theatre,literature,and architecture.literature,and architecture.National sport:footballNational sport:football -language:English -language:EnglishSCOTLANDThe The Flag of ScotlandFlag of Scotland is a white is a white saltiresaltire,X-,X-shaped cross,representing the shaped cross,representing the crosscross of the of the ChristianChristian martyrmartyr Saint AndrewSaint Andrew,the,the patron saintpatron saint of of ScotlandScotland,on a blue field.It is named the,on a blue field.It is named the SaltireSaltire or the or the Saint Andrews CrossSaint Andrews Cross.Tradition suggests that Tradition suggests that St.AndrewSt.Andrew(an apostle (an apostle of Jesus in the Christian religion)was put to of Jesus in the Christian religion)was put to death by the Romans in Greece by being pinned death by the Romans in Greece by being pinned to a cross of this shape.to a cross of this shape.Overview:Population:5.1 MillionPopulation:5.1 MillionCapital city:Edinburgh Capital city:Edinburgh People:Scots(a tribe of Celts)People:Scots(a tribe of Celts)PictsPicts(a tribe living in eastern and northern Scotland (a tribe living in eastern and northern Scotland from before the Roman conquest of Britain from before the Roman conquest of Britain unitilunitil the the 1010thth century.century.Distribution of area:-North-West:half of Scotlands mass,thinly populated.-Central:main living area -Southern:mountains Ben Nevis:the highest mountain in Britain.history and Culture:United in 1603,genuine political union in United in 1603,genuine political union in 17071707Greatest Scottish accomplishments come in Greatest Scottish accomplishments come in the form of science,literature,and philosophy.the form of science,literature,and philosophy.Kilt,bagpipes,haggisKilt,bagpipes,haggisScottish DanceCastles of ScotlandWALESOverview:Population:2.9 MillionPopulation:2.9 MillionRelief:highlandRelief:highlandCapital city:Cardiff Capital city:Cardiff Other major cities:Swansea,Other major cities:Swansea,Newport,Newport,WrexhamWrexham Culture:United with England in 1536.United with England in 1536.Has the greatest concentration of castles;Has the greatest concentration of castles;national parks.national parks.Famous for its choirs.Famous for its choirs.National sport:rugbyNational sport:rugbyLanguage:Welsh,English Language:Welsh,English Caerphilly Castle,South WalesBeaumaris Castle,N.WalesNational parks:Snowdonia,brecon Beacons and Pembrokeshire Northern IrelandIrish Clover,or The shamrock,has been registered as a trademark by the Government of Ireland.In Northern Ireland,it is also used by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.Badge of Ireland Overview:Population:1.6 MillionPopulation:1.6 MillionCapital city:Belfast Capital city:Belfast Has sparse population and a largely rural Has sparse population and a largely rural countrycountrySlieveSlieve DonardDonard is the highest is the highest mountainmountain in in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland.LoughLough NeaghNeagh(396 sq km),UKs largest (396 sq km),UKs largest freshwater lake lies in Ireland.freshwater lake lies in Ireland.NORTHERN IRELAND cont.History and Culture:United with England in 1801;divided into two United with England in 1801;divided into two parts in 1921.parts in 1921.Perform a dance known as the“jig”which Perform a dance known as the“jig”which they do to Irish folk music.they do to Irish folk music.Very festive people and dance on various Very festive people and dance on various occasions.occasions.Language:English,and IrishLanguage:English,and IrishIrish JigclimateThere are no extreme contrasts in temperature throughout Britain.Factors influencing the climate:northerly latitude,close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean,Gulf stream,westerly winds.*The The Gulf StreamGulf Stream,together with its northern extension,together with its northern extension towards Europe,the towards Europe,the North Atlantic DriftNorth Atlantic Drift,is a powerful,is a powerful,warm,and swift warm,and swift AtlanticAtlantic ocean currentocean current that originates in that originates in the the Gulf of MexicoGulf of Mexico,exits through the,exits through the Strait of FloridaStrait of Florida,and follows the eastern coastlines of the and follows the eastern coastlines of the United StatesUnited States and and NewfoundlandNewfoundland before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.before crossing the Atlantic Ocean.The process of western intensification causes the Gulf The process of western intensification causes the Gulf Stream to be a northward accelerating current offshore Stream to be a northward accelerating current offshore the east coast of the east coast of North AmericaNorth America.At about.At about 30W30W,40N40N,it,it splits in two,with the northern stream crossing to splits in two,with the northern stream crossing to northern northern EuropeEurope and the southern stream and the southern stream recirculatingrecirculating off off West AfricaWest Africa.The Gulf Stream influences the climate.The Gulf Stream influences the climate of the east coast of North America from Florida to of the east coast of North America from Florida to Newfoundland,and the west coast of Europe.Although Newfoundland,and the west coast of Europe.Although there has been recent debate,there is consensus that there has been recent debate,there is consensus that the climate of the climate of Western EuropeWestern Europe and and Northern EuropeNorthern Europe is is warmer than it would otherwise be;and that this is due warmer than it would otherwise be;and that this is due to the to the North Atlantic driftNorth Atlantic drift,one of the branches from the,one of the branches from the tail of the Gulf Stream tail of the Gulf Stream